CAF Endorses CAN 2008 Schedule

CAF has approved a draft time table submitted by the Local Organising Committee for CAN 2008, nine months ahead of the tournament.

The draft time table features dates and times for matches during the January 20 to February 10 Nations Cup in Ghana.

A statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the LOC, Magnus Rex Danquah, expressed appreciation for CAF's joy at the implementation of programmes towards a successful hosting of the tournament.

The statement said CAF's General Secretary, Mustpha Fahmy, wrote in his response that “CAF's approval of the fixtures even at this stage of the organisation of the 26th MTN ACN tournament has affirmed the expectation that CAF already has for a very successful championship to be hosted in Ghana.”

It said Fahmy added that “this, in addtion to all the good reports that have been received about the accelerated projects in Ghana to meet all set deadlines, suggests that Ghana is at the implementation stages of all the programmes lined up towards the commencement of the tournament in January.”

According to the time table, the opening match will be played at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra on Sunday, January 20 just after the opening ceremony.

The statement said CAF's letter also gave approval for the “celebration of the teams' National Days so long as they fall within the tournament's cultural programme.”

The observance of the National Days, the statement explained, will take place in the mornings and would not involve the teams and players officially, and would also not be in conflict with other activities of CAF.